✍ Excerpt from: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbānī – “Aḥkām wa Masā’il Kitāb wa Sunnat kī Roshni Main”
What is the Islamic ruling on using someone’s belongings without their permission?
In many cases — particularly in mosques, offices, or public places — when a brother goes for relieving himself or on an errand, another person uses his shoes without permission.
Is this behavior permissible according to Sharīʿah?
In Islam, the wealth, life, and honor of a Muslim are inviolable upon another Muslim.
It is not permissible to use any belonging of another Muslim without their explicit permission, even if the item appears insignificant or ordinary.
Narrated by Abū Ḥumayd al-Sāʿidī رضي الله عنه:
"It is not permissible for a man to take his brother's stick without his willing consent."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān: 5978, Musnad Aḥmad: 5/425 – Ḥadīth 24004]
This narration clearly proves that even a stick — something seemingly minor — cannot be taken without the owner's willingness and approval.
Then what about shoes, which are more valuable than a stick?
When a person uses someone else’s shoes without permission and walks away:
Every Muslim must:
May Allah ﷻ protect us from disgraceful morals and despicable habits.
Āmīn.
وَمَا عَلَيْنَا إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ
❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on using someone’s belongings without their permission?
In many cases — particularly in mosques, offices, or public places — when a brother goes for relieving himself or on an errand, another person uses his shoes without permission.
Is this behavior permissible according to Sharīʿah?
✔ Answer:
In Islam, the wealth, life, and honor of a Muslim are inviolable upon another Muslim.
It is not permissible to use any belonging of another Muslim without their explicit permission, even if the item appears insignificant or ordinary.
Hadith Evidence
Narrated by Abū Ḥumayd al-Sāʿidī رضي الله عنه:
"It is not permissible for a man to take his brother's stick without his willing consent."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān: 5978, Musnad Aḥmad: 5/425 – Ḥadīth 24004]This narration clearly proves that even a stick — something seemingly minor — cannot be taken without the owner's willingness and approval.
Then what about shoes, which are more valuable than a stick?
Harms and Consequences of Using Items Without Permission
When a person uses someone else’s shoes without permission and walks away:
- The owner is left distressed, searching for his shoes.
- This causes mental anguish and inconvenience, which is ḥarām in Islam.
- Such actions lead to a chain reaction — the distressed person may use another's shoes in return, and this cycle continues, causing:
- Widespread frustration
- Shoes being mixed up or damaged
- Cases where each shoe (left/right) is taken from different pairs
- Ultimately, shoes are left abandoned and treated as public property.
⚠ Moral and Ethical Damage
- These seemingly minor actions deteriorate Islamic manners and values.
- Well-behaved and sincere individuals may develop suspicions and resentment.
- Entire organizations or Islamic movements may suffer reputational damage due to the action of a few.
- Some individuals may stop attending mosques, madrasahs, or Islamic centers where such behavior is common.
- Petty misuse of belongings can gradually lead to greater sins, such as theft.
Islamic Etiquette and Responsibility
Every Muslim must:
- Avoid using any item belonging to another person without permission.
- If one wishes to use something, they must first seek permission from the owner.
- Be mindful of Islamic ethics in all public and private matters.
🕊 Final Supplication
May Allah ﷻ protect us from disgraceful morals and despicable habits.
Āmīn.
وَمَا عَلَيْنَا إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ
